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Andromeda Botanical Gardens
St. Joseph, Barbados
Lay of the Land: Set along a stream, embellished with ponds and waterfalls, and overlooking the Atlantic, this six-acre enclave has amassed one of the Caribbean's best collections of indigenous and imported tropical plants since horticulturist Iris Bannochie began her work here in 1954. Among the beloved, familiar faces (heliconia, ginger, hibiscus, bougainvillea) are also some nice surprises, many in the form of cacti. Also of note: the final pergola, where the jade vines and hanging turquoise blossoms create a truly grand exit. Don't Miss: The massive, native bearded fig tree for which the Portuguese reputedly named the islands ("Los Barbados" translates to "the bearded ones"). More Info: Andromeda Botanical Gardens.
